Clearest Lakes in the Midwest👀🌲🌊
exploring a beautiful corner of Northern Michigan
I like quiet beauty, and for that reason I’ve always perfered the gentle hills and deep forest of the Northwoods to mountain peaks. There’s something about a clear blue river lined with wildflowers winding through a thick, mossy forest that speaks to me. If you’re like that, the Chain of Lakes Region in Michigan just north of Traverse City, will probable be one of your new favorite places.
Torch Lake
Torch Lake is 19 miles long and two miles wide and has a reputation for Caribbean-blue waters. It’s extremely popular for boating, but a large enough lake that for the most part you can find a nice and secluded spot to anchor.
The most popular spot is the sandbar on the south end of the lake, but there are really so many great spots to swim all over. I also recommend renting kayaks or paddle boards and checking out the shoreline. Alden makes for a nice launch point for paddlers, as does the Torch River.
Torch Lake is sort of the centerpiece of the Chain of Lakes Region, but the surrounding lakes are also really beautiful. Lake Bellaire has a few public access spots, and Elk Lake is similar to Torch Lake in water color.
READ: Best things to do near Torch Lake, Michigan
Retreat North Tiny Cabins
I am becoming such a cabin person. I love the varied design choices, and thoughtful window placements, the sound of birds in the morning. It used to be that in my early 20s travel was camp or bust, stringing together adventure on a shoestring budget. I still love camping and budget travel, but now that I’m more established it is really, really fun to occasionally get to stay somewhere really cool.
Jess from Retreat North reached out to me earlier this year to see if I’d like to test out her new cabin retreat in the woods, and I couldn’t have been more stoked! New in 2025, Retreat North features four tiny cabins with a king-sized bed, small kitchen, bathroom and shower, fire pit, outdoor space, private hot tub and shared sauna, and one heck of a view.
In my mind there are a few different categories of cabin rental.
There’s the cottage, which is usually a small pastel-colored house on a lake often with nautical-inspired decor. There’s the Scandinavian-chic, which is your big windows, clean lines, black metal accents with occasional light-colored wood paneling; these designs focus a lot on negative space and while I would describe them as clean I would not describe them as cozy. Then there’s the classic cabin in the woods, which is probably my favorite set up.
Retreat North is a blend of your Scandinavian-chic meets a classic cabin. Big windows and great light, clean lines, but still cozy. There’s a thick wool blanket on the beds. I would describe the decor as “vintage summer camp”. You fall asleep watching lightning outside the windows and wake up to the sound of birds.
Northern Rivers
One of the best parts of Michigan’s Chain of Lakes region is the clear, spring-fed rivers. Personally, I think the rivers in this region are the prettiest part and one of the best things to do.
Here’s a quick list of rivers I recommend:
Jordan River, Rent/shuttle with Jordan Valley Outfitters
Manistee River, lots of options
Boardman River
Grass River (also consider hiking Grass River Natural Area)
Torch River
READ: Best Kayaking & Canoeing in Michigan
Bellaire, Michigan
The nearby town of Bellaire is known for the wildly popular Short’s Brewery, but there’s a handful of other really cool spots in this cute downtown including a distillery and meadery!
This is one of the few parts of the country I haven't explored yet, and HELLO STRANGER has me lusting for a summer vacation in the upper midwest. Hopefully next year!
I've always seen pictures of the beautiful water of Torch lake yet have never been there. During my life I've been to so many awesome places in both peninsulas. Yet at the same time have seen just a fraction of what our state offers. Thanks for sharing your excursions about all the different beautiful areas in the Midwest.